Saturday, June 28, 2014

Cutie Pie

Happy Saturday!

My scrapbooking progress is kinda slow these days, thanks to Korean drama. They are indeed addictive, LOL. Even though my daily schedule has been disrupted by those hot cuties in the Korean drama, I still manage to make a layout last night. Scrapbooking on a Friday night is blissful, especially when you do not need to work on the next day!

For this layout, I used the sketch from Let's Get Sketchy Week 4 Challenge. The photo for this layout is of my niece and it was taken by me earlier this year. I knew I just have to scrapbook it, too cute to be ignored!

As usual, when I scrapbook about this little princess, I tend to use a lot of pinks and reds, butterflies and hearts. I really like how all those pieces fit together, creating a soft and feminine layout. The background paper is from Studio Calico, and it's perfect for this layout!

♥♥♥

I used the Transparency Alphabet Diecuts from Freckled Fawn's June OhDeerMe kit for the title, and they are awesome!!



Love that Dear Lizzy tag and the chipboard butterfly

Sweetness~

Such sweet looking face and sweet looking layout, love it!

Leave me a comment, and follow my blog and my Instagram. =) Enjoy your weekend!

Supplies (Patterned Papers)
  • Up & Up by Studio Calico
  • Ivy by Cosmo Cricket
  • Stamped and Daily Banners from Love Me collection by My Mind's Eye
  • Peach Glow cardstock by Bazzill
  • Yes, Please 6x6 Paper Pad by Amy Tangerine
Supplies (Letters)
  • Transparency Alphabet Diecuts from June OhDeerMe kit
  • 4x6 Charcoal Alpha Stickers by Basic Grey
  • Tiny Alpha Stickers by Tim & Beck for Studio Calico
  • Swagger Sticker Fundamentals by Fancy Pants
Supplies (Embellies)
  • Neapolitan Tag by Dear Lizzy
  • 'Girl' Flair Badge by Paislee Press
  • Noteworthy Accent & Phrase Sticker Book by Amy Tangerine
  • Sn@p! Icons Stickers by Simple Stories
  • ABC Washi by Studio Calico
  • Tabs from Trendsetter Sticker Fundamentals by Fancy Pants
  • Butterfly diecut, love diecut, butterfly chipboard and jewel dots
p/s: Remember my Kyoto-Osaka pocket pages? I will try to get them done this weekend. Big procrastinator, I am. *facepalm*

Monday, June 23, 2014

Enjoy the Ride

Hello hello, Happy Monday!

I had a very busy weekend and did not have much time to scrapbook, but I did manage to get a layout done. This layout is for Let's Get Sketchy Week 3 Sketch Challenge (Week 4 Challenge is up too!), which is another fun sketch to work with, and I had fun picking the patterned papers for this layout. I posted my initial picks on my Instagram, drop by to see what I picked!

I used a lot of stars and hearts and cameras accent on this page, I hope it's not too overwhelming. I love love love the background paper! Happy that I could use it for one of my favorite photos.

Excuse the blurry pic, didn't realize until I uploaded onto the blog *cry*

For this layout, I used a sticker accent instead of letter stickers for the title. I went through my stash and couldn't find any letter stickers that 'fits' this layout. Luckily I took out all travel-themed elements and found this sticker accent by Echo Park.

Love the arrow and the loops!

I knew I wanted to use blue and orange for this layout, so I got a chance to use this lovely camera accent patterned paper by Becky Higgins. I received my first OHDEERME kit, and I love love love everything in it, so I included some of the embellishments on this page.

Resin Heart + Wood Ticket = Love

A big camera die cut on top of the camera accent patterned paper

I punched three heart-shaped from my favorite Tiny Love patterned paper and stacked them up to make the heart accent beside the title. Then, instead of tossing that piece of punched paper away, I decided to use it as the second cluster for this layout. I repeated the elements I used on the main cluster, which are camera, stars and Hello in blue background (which is quite hidden behind the photo).

Stars and hearts and cameras, oh my!

Close up

Leave me a comment, and follow my blog and my Instagram, maybe? (Yes, yes, I am shamelessly hard selling myself >.<)

Supplies (Patterned Papers)
  • Stargazer, Hello Hello and Tiny Love by Studio Calico
  • Project Life Honey Edition 12x12 Double Sided Designer Papers by Becky Higgins
  • Air Mail by Tim & Beck for Studio Calico
Supplies (Embellies)
  • Enjoy the Ride Sticker Accent Pieces by Echo Park
  • Urban Traveler Chipboard Stickers by Simple Stories
  • Layered Chipboard Stickers by colorbok
  • Soda Pop Fabric Stickers by American Crafts
  • Enamel Dew Drop Stickers by Freckled Fawn
  • Wood Tickets and Resin Hearts from June OHDEERME Kit by Freckled Fawn
  • Misc. embellishments from past Studio Calico kits
p/s: I am still experimenting on how to capture the photograph of my layouts like a pro. I shot these in my room under fluorescent light, so I set the Exposure Compensation to 2.0, using Aperture Priority Mode with low Aperture value at 2.5. I think this set of photos is a bit too bright? Any advice are welcomed!


Sunday, June 15, 2014

Kyoto Sushi

Happy Sunday! 

This is my first challenge submission for My Scraps & More Sketch Challenge. Their current Sketch Challenge #84 can be found here. So happy I found another blog for sketch challenges, this means I can join in more scrapbooking fun =)

I follow the sketch closely, but at the very last moment, I decided to tilt the main cluster when I added this wooden peg on it.

Tiny wooden pegs from Studio Calico

The packaging from Studio Calico's kit is put to good use too!

I wanted to give the impression that the whole main cluster is hanging, which is why I tilted the whole thing in the end.

I was undecided whether to use this background paper from Crate Paper or to use others as background, because I really like both the A side and B side! Well, in the end I used this because I know there will always be a favorite paper that we think we 'need' to save for a special layout, but we know the 'special layout' never happened. So, instead of letting it felt left behind, I should just use it.

All the other patterned papers used on this layout is from my leftover scraps. I am trying to cut down my scraps volume, but I think it will take a very long time because I hoarded way too much!! I have declutter once, and am very careful now when I am picking patterned papers for new layouts. 

That is my last Gold Mini Doilies, I need to get more!

This layout was completed under 75 minutes, thanks to the sketch provided. So, two layouts in two days, I am so proud of myself LOL.


Any comments are welcomed. 

Supplies (Patterned Papers)
  • Pier "Carousel" by Crate Paper
Supplies (Letter Stickers)
  • Kut Kraft Alphabeans by Jillibean Soup
  • Hello Printed Fabric Letter Stickers by Amy Tangerine
Supplies (Others)
  • Gold Mini Doilies and Gold Polka Dot Washi by Studio Calico
  • Bits Die Cut Cardstock Shapes by Amy Tangerine
  • Mustard Color Shine by Heidi Swapp

Saturday, June 14, 2014

He Loves Art Class

Happy Saturday! 

Sharing another layout that I made using Let's Get Sketchy's June Week 2 Sketch. I have this photo of my eldest nephew, showcasing his proud drawing with a big smile on his face. That is very precious, I tell you. He dislikes taking photos, and this is the only photo I have of him, smiling so widely, so I know I have to scrapbook it.

I wanted the focus of this layout to be on the photo, but I wanted some colorful and fun patterned too. So I picked a patterned paper and used the B side which has this blue-ish white background with lines, then I added a strip of colorful stars patterned paper (was torn between using this or the colorful chevron from the same collection). Added another patterned paper behind the photo and the main element for this layout is done.

The title for this layout is 'he loves art class', because he really do loves his art class. I remember when I was a kid, I cried and threw tantrum every single time my parents send me to art class, to the point that they gave up sending me there, because the teacher had to call them to pick me up everytime LOL


The vellum behind the title is a last minute addition, because the title was floating and not connected with the main element. Ahh, vellum, you saved me again. I love the different fonts and colorful letters, and that big round colorful elements at the top, perfect!

I wanted to bring in more black because the title has this glitter black letters. I pulled out my embellishments and found these transparency die cuts. I added a few clouds on top and some trees at the bottom, even added a sun behind one of the clouds.


He loves to cycle too!

Added some embellishments around the photos and a wooden paper clip at the top corner of the page too.

I put his initial on the fish-tailed banner


I am trying to improve my photography skill and I have read many tips on how to. They usually suggest that natural light/sunlight is the best source of light, so this morning I was seen with the window wide open and camera around my neck, snapping away. 

Oh, he loves cats too!

I used a lot of stars and clouds elements on this page, along with some bright and fun colors. I really love this layout, and I hope you will like it too. Any comments are welcomed.

Supplies (Patterned Papers)
  • Tim & Beck for Studio Calico
  • Project Life Honey Edition 12x12 Double Sided Designer Papers by Becky Higgins
  • Numbers Grid from Love Me Collection by My Mind's Eye
  • Vellum by Studio Calico
Supplies (Letters)
  • Sentiment Series Letter Stickers by Pink Paislee for Studio Calico
  • Hello Printed Fabric Letter Stickers by Amy Tangerine
  • Printed Chipboard Letter Stickers by Studio Calico
Supplies (Embellies)
  • Boy Crazy Decorative Brads by My Mind's Eye
  • Remarks Doodle Dimensional Stickers by Amy Tangerine
  • Black & White Transparency Die Cuts by Studio Calico
  • Stars Puffy Stickers by Twine + Ink

p/s: My mind was not working properly, and I can't seem to make sentences make sense. It's like my brain refuses to think of what to write for this post. So it took me a very long time to write this post, even longer than the time I took to make this layout. Unbelievable.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Tech Savvy Dad

Happy Weekend!

Rushing for another layout on Saturday night so that I can concentrate on my Japanese lesson tomorrow. I have chosen Life.Paper.Scrapbook's June Sketch Challenge to cut down the time I needed for creating a new layout. 

The layout is not too complicated and with minimum paper layering, but you wouldn't believe the amount of patterned papers and scraps that I pulled out. I could have created a few layouts from all those papers, hahaha. 

I replaced the instax in the sketch to frame. The stacked frames idea with partial title on it was a last minute 'aha!' idea, and I just  it! 

I have chosen a subtle blue lines patterned paper as background, and paired it with an eye-catching colorful phrases patterned paper. Added vellum on top of that to soften the background though. Then I used few different strips of scraps for the horizontal elements beside the photo. Title placed and wooden buttons added on top left corner, done done done!





Supplies (Patterned Papers)
  • Hello Hello, Jagged Blue and Vellum by Studio Calico
  • Project Life Honey Edition 12x12 Double Sided Designer Papers by Becky Higgins
Supplies (Letters)
  • Hardcover Foil Letter Stickers by American Crafts
  • Hello Printed Fabric Letter Stickers by Amy Tangerine
Supplies (Others)
  • Die Cut Frames by Dear Lizzy
  • Orange Polka Dot with Heart Washi by Freckled Fawn
  • 6x12 Sticker by Hello Forever for Studio Calico
  • Buttons 
Most of the time I spent on this layout is choosing patterned papers because I picked out too many. Other than that, all the other elements were done in a very short time. 

Any comments appreciated!

p/s: I have been trying to increase my blog and Instagram's views, likes and comments to no avail. It is kinda frustrating and quite disheartening. So, any advice on how to attract readers and viewers, are also appreciated.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

What Did You Just Say?

Hello hello, happy Wednesday!

I have been very productive for the first few days of June. I have finally planned my after-work activities (which I should have done in January ><) and this leads to a packed but fun and great way to utilize my time. Other than slotting in crafting time, I resumed my (self-study) Japanese lesson, along with practicing the use of a certain software to increase my work value. So, a part for hobby, a part for myself, and a part for work, perfect!

My crafting plan includes a minimum of one layout per week, but hopefully I can stick to two layouts per week. There is nothing wrong with pushing myself a little bit harder, right? (And because I have too many supplies that I wanted to use before I started buying more!)

Sorry you had to go through the boring part of my life, but research has shown that telling the world you are committed to doing something will actually make you push yourself harder, and that is what I am doing now.

Back to scrapbooking and I have another new layout to share!

This layout is about my brother. It was his birthday yesterday and I had to have this layout done by Monday night and create a short slide show using Flipagram app to post on his Facebook wall at 12 midnight. He did not even thank my effort, that heartless guy ~.~

The story of this layout: We were in Hatyai for a short trip, and we visited this temple with a large deity statue. My brother mistakenly thought the statue was another deity, and I stupidly believed him for a few seconds. After we realized our mistake, I laughed at him disbelievingly, not quite sure who is stupider, me or him.







This layout is heavily-embellished compared to my past few layouts. I was having trouble choosing the color scheme for this one, but then decided to use mostly blue because the background of the photos is the sky. I couldn't find any blue background papers that 'clicked' with the photos, so I have chosen this geometric in red lines, subtle and not too eye catching. Then I added pops of red here and there to 'spice things up' a bit. I started drafting this layout on Sunday and I am glad I can finished it on Monday night after work. I thought it will be a good present for my brother but apparently he is not impressed *cry*

Supplies (Patterned Papers)
  • RSVP by Basic Grey
  • Today by Studio Calico
Supplies (Letters)
  • Embossed Mini Alpha by Typo
  • Trendsetter Sticker Fundamentals by Fancy Pants
  • He Said 6x6 Paper Pad by Teresa Collins
Supplies (Embellies)
  • 6x12 Sticker Sheet by Hello Forever for Studio Calico
  • Chipboard Arrows and 3x6 * Thickers by Studio Calico
  • DIY Messages Clear Stickers by Simple Stories
  • Puffy Stickers by Twine+Ink
AND my time for hobby-related activity is up! Gotta go~

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Udon

Happy Sunday! It's 1st of June already, oh my oh my!

Sharing with you another simple layout (all of my layouts are kinda simple these days, aren't they?). This is a one photo layout with zero embellishing, only patterned papers and letter stickers. I did not even pull out any embellishments for this one.

I took the same idea I used on my previous layout for Mama, which is having one third of patterned paper on top and another different paper for the remaining two third. I really liked this photo and I wanted it to stand out, so I chose a subtle wooden patterned for the top and kraft for the bottom. 


I like the egg yolk on the picture and that led me to having my title in yellow. I would much prefer the title to be bright yellow like that egg yolk, but this mellow yellow is the only yellow letter stickers that I have. I have the subtitle 'a typical Japanese meal' beside the main title to fill up that awkward space down there.


Red was not in my color scheme when I planned this layout, but the initial idea of using only grey and kraft made the main cluster blend in with the background, so I added pops of red here and there around the main cluster to make it stand out rather than blending in. I thought of using green because there is some green in the photo, but I don't think the green will bring out the cluster as good as the red.


Sprinkled some golden mist and the layout is done!

Supplies (Patterned Papers)
  • Air Mail, Dots & Loops, Tiny Love and Kraft by Studio Calico
  • Rewind from Recorded Collection by Allison Kreft Designs for Webster's Pages
Supplies (Letters)
  • Yellow Letter Stickers from local bookstore
  • Craft Mini Alpha from Typo
Supplies (Others)
  • Mustard Color Shine by Heidi Swapp

p/s: I reorganized my patterned paper scraps and embellishments this morning, quite a feat really. I have too many paper scraps, and my embellishments (die cuts especially) were everywhere and I don't think I use them often enough. Rounding all of these bits and pieces together, categorizing them (which is impossible but I did anyway) and storing them together. So now when I scrapbook, I just choose a 12x12 background paper, then I look through all my paper scraps (large ones for matting, small ones for tucking them here and there around the main cluster), then large embellishments, then smaller embellishments. Still in the process of familiarizing with this whole new process of scrapbooking, and I hope it will be a good practice so that I will use up most (or all, if possible) of my stash. I really don't like seeing them left sitting there and having no purpose. Or maybe I should control my urge to keep on buying when I still have a lot of supplies left, but that is difficult, you know. =p